Brisk business at tourist spots

RAJSHAHI, Mar 24: Small businesses in the city's major recreational spots have been doing brisk business with owners reporting good profit as the rush of tourists have been continuing after the official end of Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

Popular destinations such as the Rajshahi Central Park and Zoo, the banks of the Padma River, Lalon Shah Muktamancha, Shaheed Zia Shishu Park, Bhadra Shishu Park, and Simanta Nongor are still witnessing large gatherings. Families and people in different groups are visiting these locations to spend quality time together, even after offices and institutions have resumed normal operations.

Rafiqul Islam, who runs a street food stall near the Padma riverbank, said, "Business was slow before Eid, but since Eid day, sales have increased significantly-almost two to three times higher than usual."

Tea vendor Azizul Haque shared a similar experience, saying, "On regular days, I earn around Tk 2,000 to 3,000. Now it has increased to Tk 6,000 to 7,000 per day. This is the best time of the year for us."

The zoo and children's parks are also witnessing vibrant activity. Sohel Rana, a toy seller near the zoo, said, "Children always want toys when they visit. During Eid, sales go up significantly, and I have made good profits over the past few days."

A ride operator at Lalon Shah Muktamancha said, "All rides remain busy almost all day during Eid. Children stand in long queues, and our income has increased accordingly."

Children are enjoying animal exhibits such as deer, monkeys, and crocodiles at the zoo, as well as various amusement rides in the parks. However, some visitors expressed disappointment over the absence of large animals like tigers or giraffes.

Field observations show that while the crowd was relatively thin in the early hours of Eid day, it increased significantly as the day progressed. This trend has continued in the following days. Even now, these recreational spots become densely crowded in the afternoons, as many people extend their holidays or take time off work to enjoy outings with their loved ones.

The Padma riverbank has emerged as the most attractive destination. Areas such as Boro Kuthi and the T-Bandh become nearly inaccessible in the late afternoon due to the overwhelming number of visitors. People are seen walking along the river, taking boat rides, or simply enjoying the open space and fresh air.

Majed Ali, a private sector employee visiting with his family, said, "Due to work pressure, I rarely get time for my family. I extended my Eid leave by two days to spend time together, but the place is too crowded to stay long."

Similarly, Amjad Hossain, who works in Dhaka, said, "It feels great to celebrate Eid with my family. My children are enjoying a lot. Even after the holidays ended, I took an extra day before returning to Dhaka and brought my family here."

Despite the festive mood, some inconveniences have been reported. Heavy traffic congestion has been observed on roads adjacent to major tourist spots, particularly around the T-Bandh area, causing difficulties for commuters.

There are also allegations that battery-run rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers are charging higher fares. Government employee Arman Hossain said, "Drivers are demanding nearly double fares, which is quite inconvenient."

Responding to the allegations, rickshaw driver Sajadul Rahman said, "We charge slightly higher during Eid because this is one of the few times we can earn extra income."

Meanwhile, vendors selling ice cream, snacks, and fast food are also benefiting from the increased footfall. Nazmul Hossain, an ice cream seller, said, "The crowd in the afternoon is so large that it is difficult to find space to stand. Sales are very strong-Eid is our peak earning season."

Overall, despite minor challenges, the continued flow of visitors has extended the festive momentum in Rajshahi, providing a significant boost to small businesses while keeping the spirit of Eid alive.

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